Liquid chilling apparatus



May 7, 1935. T. A. JENKINS 2,000,446

LIQUID CHILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 24, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l F719. 1 INVENTOR.

May 7, 1935. T. A. JENKINS LIQUID CHILLING APPARATUS Filed 0ct. 24, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

May '7, 1935. T. A. JENKINS 2,000,446

LIQUID CHILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 24, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet 3 J g -||||||l T\ 0' 194 R2 W 7 W 4, 5 e 1 55.51]! i a Fig. 6

IN V EN TOR.

Patented May 7, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3Claims.

My invention relates to improvements, in liquid chilling apparatus and consists of the construction; combinations and arrangements, herein described and claimed. The general object of my invention, is the pro vision, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, of

a liquid chilling apparatus of unique design;

compact; durable; sanitary; efficient and inexpensive, in operating maintenance. 1

The fundamental object of my invention, is the provision of a highly eflicient; regulative and sanitary liquid chilling tank, having as a primary object, the palatable and healthful preparation of beer, before dispensing for human consumption, The proper preparation of beer for consumption, is a vital matter from the standpoint of health. Beer that is excessively cold, interferes with the digestive organs of consumers. It is also rendered flat and is not palatable. Beer excessively warm, becomes wild; foams and lacks a solid body and is objectionable, in not being palatable. Beer is a food product and subject to bacterial formations, if dispensed through apparatus, not sanitarily designed. Vital points of sanitary design are, ready accessibility and nonsecretive, pocketless walls. In the handling of beer, through chilling apparatus, various physical conditions arise, such as, gas and air pockets and it is essential that provisions be made to control such conditions. Air and gas pockets, interfere with the proper functioning of dispensing apparatus. It is desirable, that beer in particular and other liquid beverages, in passing through a liquid chilling tank, be properly cooled or chilled, before servin t s andother desirable functions mentioned, can be achieved with the liquid chilling apparatus, constituting my invention.

The invention will be best understood, from a consideration of the following detailed descrip- 40 tion, taken in connection withthe accompanyin: drawings; forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity, with the showing of the drawings, butmay be changed and modified, so long as such changes and modiflcations make no material departure, from the salient features of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings: V Figure l is a longitudinalv section, through the complete chilling tank, taken along line II of Figure 2 is a plan view of chilling tank, showing fragmentary view, of a chilling tank receptacle.

Figure 3 is a transverse section, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a detailed view, of a supporting bracket, for secondary refrigerant circulating tube. 5

Figure 5 is a projected view of Fig. 4.

Figure -6 is an elevation of complete chilling tank.

Figure 7 is a fragmental sectional view, of a heat conducting rib, on bottom unit of chilling 10 tank, showing a supporting hole, for secondary refrigerant circulating tube, taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 3. I

Referring now, to the drawings'in detail, like numerals of reference, indicate corresponding 15 parts, throughout the several views.

The apparatus in general, is a tank of unique design and of compact, durable construction, having sanitary and simplified arrangements. producing efllcient, inexpensive functional performance. The tank as a whole, is composed of two major parts, a bottom unit and a top unit. Numeral I, indicates the whole bottom unit and numeral I3, the whole top unit. Each of the tank units, I and I3, have an abutting flange, as I30 and IB. Between flanges I and IB, is a composition gasket 30, for completing an airtight seal. Flange I30, has a plurality'of clearance holes 42. Flange IB, has a pluralityof tapped holes 4|, aligned with clearance holes 42. 30 A plurality of bolts' I2, pass through clearance holes 42 in flange IlC, then through corresponding holes, not shown, in gasket 38 and fasten in tapped holes 4|, thereby joining the bottom unit I and top unit I3, of the-tank in general. Bottom unit of tank I, has formed integral thereto, at the base, a hollow protuberant structure 21. Numeral 213, indicates an exterior wall and 21A an interior wall of protuberant structure 21.

Fig. 1, numeral 93 shows one of a plurality of openings in hollow ribs. Fig. 3, shows a transverse section through hollow ribs 9, which joins the wall of hollow protuberant structure 21, to adjoining wall IA of tank. -In Fig. 3, is shown openings 9A and 8B of hollow ribs 8, coinciding 45 with cavity 40, of hollow protuberant structure 21.

Fig. 1, numeral 35 indicates a liquid secondary refrigerant, generally clear water, technically termed sweet water. Numeral 41 indicates a primary refrigerant, which is ice. Numeral-44, indicates a liquid or beverage, contained in chilling tank. Contained liquid '46, comes in contact with wall 21A, of protuberant structure 21 and interior. walls of tank IB; IC; ID and IE and in.

Fig, 3, interior walls 9C; SD; SE and SF of hollow ribs 9. Fig. 1, secondary liquid refrigerant 35, comes in contact with exterior surface 213 of protuberant structure 21 and in Fig. 3, exterior walls of openings 9A and 9B of hollow ribs 9. Fig. 1, numeral 41 indicates cracked ice, submerged in secondary liquid refrigerant 35. In general, contained liquid 46, is in contact, with all interior surfaces of chilling tank. All exterior surfaces of chilling tank, are in contact with secondary liquid refrigerant 35. The functions are as follows:The contained liquid 46, on entering chilling tank, contains an amount of heat, whereas the secondary liquid refrigerant 35, is at a low temperature and through surface contact, will absorb suiiicient heat from contained liquid 46, to lower same, to a temperature equivalent to a cool or chilled degree. By limiting the volume of secondary liquid refrigerant and the quantity of primary refrigerant 61, the degree of chilling, contained liquids 46, can be satisfactorily controlled. In the final analysis, the atmosphere completes the transfer, of absorbed heat, from the cracked ice 51. To continue the transfer of heat, from the contained liquid 46, to the secondary refrigerant 35, it will be necessary to replenish a supply of cracked ice 41, shown submerged in secondary refrigerant 35. To further exemplify the picture in Fig. 1, it is well to note, that the secondary liquid refrigerant 35, is retained by a receptacle or cooler box, into which the chilling tank as a whole, is placed.

Owing to the fact, that mechanical refrigeration, is in many cases, preferred to ice, provision has been made, for accommodating either choice, as a combinational arrangement. Formed integral with bottom unit I, of chilling tank, is a plurality of heat conducting ribs, as R2; R3 and R4 of Fig. 1 and RI, as in Fig. 3. Formed integral with said heat conducting ribs R2; R3; R4 and RI, are a plurality of semi-circular notches, spirally aligned, to receive a spirally wound tube I9. In Fig. 7, is shown rib 3, with a hole 23, for receiving and securing, the first lap of the spirally wound tube III. In Fig. 1, tube I9 is shown in section. Said tube I9, is used to convey a circulating refrigerant, around the chilling tank. In Fig. 2, at ISA and I 9B, is shown the two ends of tube I9. One end is the inlet and the other is the outlet, the direction of flow, to be determined as required. The ends ISA and H33, are to be fitted with commercial couplings, not shown, and can be connected to any commercial refrigerating unit desired. When connected to a refrigerating unit, a primary refrigerant, will circulate through tube l9, as at I9C of Fig. 1 and continuously absorb heat from secondary liquid refrigerant 35, which in turn, absorbs heat from contained liquids 46, through surface contact. With a refrigerating unit in use, cracked ice 41, would be eliminated. With this arrangement, either ice or mechanical refrigeration, can be used as desired. If the tank is connected to a refrigerating unit, and it should get out of order at any time, cracked ice, can be submerged in secondary liquid refrigerant 35 and the chilling tank, will continue to function. This is vital to business, as it avoids interruption of service. V

. In the event, that the required amount of tubing I9, reaches above the bottom unit I, of chilling tank, a tube supporting bracket, shown in views, Figs. 4 and 5, has been provided. The tube rests on surfaces 2|. In Fig. 6, is shown,

1A, are pipe fittings.

tube supporting bracket III in place. Same is fastened to heat conducting rib RI, Fig. 6 and R3, Fig. 1. In Fig.6, is shown screws I I, which fasten tube support brackets ID, to respective ribs. In Fig. 4, holes 20 are for fastening screws I I, shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to hollow ribs 9, Fig. 3, note openings 9A;- 9B and 40. The secondary liquid refrigerant 35, circulates by reason of varying temperature, through openings 9A and 9B of hollow ribs 9, as at Fig. 3 and continues downward through cavity of protuberant structure 21. In Fig. 1, note at 210, that the upper wall of hole 9B or 9A, is flush with the highest point, of the exterior wall of protuberant structure 21. This is essential, to prevent air pockets forming and consequently insulating part of the conducting surface. This arrangement, facilitates the circulation of the secondary liquid refrigerant 35, through the hollow ribs 9, Fig. 3 and protuberant structure 21, Fig. 1.

To increase heat conducting surface, the bottom unit I, of chilling tank, has formed integral therewith, a plurality of ribs R2; R3 and R4 of Fig. 1 and RI shown in Figs. 3 and 6. Also, top unit I3 of chilling tank, has formed integral thereto, a plurality of ribs R6; R1 and R8 of Fig. 1 and R5 Figs. 2 and 6, for the same purpose.

In Fig. 1, numerals 34A; MB and 34C, indicate interior surfaces of a chilling tank receptacle or cooler box. Resting on the bottom of chilling tank receptacle, are two or more strips of wood or other material 31, which support a number of horizontally laid strips 36. Bottom unit I, of chilling tank, has a plurality of legs IF, formed integral thereto. Said legs, have holes 3, as at Fig. 6, for receiving screws. In Fig. 1, numeral 22, shows one of a number of screws, used to fasten bottom unit I of chilling tank, to strips 31.

Fig. 1, numeral I8 is an inlet pipe, through which liquid passes into chilling tank. Inlet pipe I8, connects to a source of beverage or other liquid supply. Numeral-8, is an outlet pipe and leads to a dispensing faucet. Numerals 6; 1 and In Fig. 6, numeral 5 is a gasket. Numeral I3B is the inlet port and numeral 24 is the outlet port, for contained liquids. Numeral 25, is the orifice through which liquid in chilling tank, enters outlet port 24.

Fig. 1,, numeral 26 is a siphon tube and is screwed into hole 26A. At 26B, is shown a flared orifice, which acts to increase suction. When liquid in chilling tank, flows out through orifice 25, a suction will be created through siphon tube 26 and if an air or gas pocket exists, at the upper portion of chilling tank, as at or near 2613,

said pocket will be broken by the action of suction created. The inlet port I313, is arranged to permit the free, unagitated entrance of liquid, into chilling tank. The same condition exists at outlet port 24 there are no disturbing obstructions, to cause agitation of contained liquids.

Liquids entering, chilling. tank, are circulated under air pressure. Every time the supply tank empties, air enters the chilling tank and in general the whole system. When replenishing the supply of liquids for chilling tank,.the air admitted, must be removed from the system, to prevent an air lock. The air is removed by bleeding, through a pet cook 45, conveniently located and connected, by way of tube 44, tomting 43, which is fastened to top unit II, of chill-v ing tank, shown in Fig. 6. Any air, not removed. will be carried off through siphon tube 26. In case beer is handled in chilling tank, gas forms,

gas will be removed, through the action of siphon tube 26, Fig. 1. Numeral 28, is a relief valve and in case a vacuum exists in system at any time, said'valve will respond and relieve, same.

Numeral i6, is a protective hood and guards against material injury to valve 28. Numeral 49,

is a threaded boss, formed integral with top unit ll, of chilling tank and is for fastening protective hood l6. Numeral 29, is a gasket between flange of hood l6 and top unit l3 and is for making a tight seal. Numerals ISA and'lGB, are drilled holes. Numeral I1, is a plug. The purpose of holes ISA and IGB, is to form an air lock and prevent flooding of valve 28, in the event of an overflow of secondary liquid refrigerant 35. Numeral 38, is a hole in top unit l3 and leads to valveelement. Numeral MD, is the exterior of inlet port of chilling tank. Numeral 49, indicates recessed pockets, for retaining. a gasket and preventing blow out of same, when pressure within chilling tank exists. Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following:

1. In an apparatus of the type described, a liquid chilling tank, composed of a bottom'unit, having formed integral thereto, at the base, a hollow protuberant structure, with a plurality of hollow ribs, connecting said hollow protuberant structure, to adjoining wall of chilling tank, to

increase heat conducting surface and effect rapid transfer of heat from liquids in chilling tank, to a liquid refrigerant, in contact with exterior surfaces of chilling tank, a top unit, forming a component part of chilling tank.

2. In an apparatus of the type described, a liquid chilling tank, composed of a bottom unit, having formed integral thereto, at the base, interiorly located, a hollow protuberant structure,

with a plurality of hollow ribs, branching therefrom and connecting to adjoining wall of chilling tank, a plurality of cavities or passage ways, in said hollow ribs, terminating at cavity of said protuberant structure, thereby providing means, to increase circulation of a liquid refrigerant, in contact with exterior surfaces of chilling tank,

a top unit, forming a component part of chilling tank.

3. In an apparatus of the type described,- a liquid chilling tank, composed of a bottom unit, having formed integral thereto, at the base, interiorly located, a hollow protuberant structure, with a plurality of hollow ribs, branching therefrom and connecting to adjoining wall of chilling tank, a plurality of cavities or passage ways, in said hollow ribs, terminating at cavity of said protuberant structure, thereby providing means,- 

